We made it: Alabama vs. Notre Dame in the BCS title game for all the love and adulation of the college football universe. It just so happened that it was the Crimson Tide enjoying the moment after a decisive 42-14 win. Recap the game with Sporting News' Rana L. Cash, who live blogged the game.

FOURTH QUARTER

Lover's quarrel? AJ McCarron and center Barrett Jones got into a bit when McCarron jumped in Jones' face as one wanted to audible at the line of scrimmage and the other did not. Jones ended up giving his QB a shove and as they went to the sideline, neither looked at each other. Eventually, McCarron went over to make peace.

It's all love now, though, as Alabama wins this one with ease and brings him the Tide's third national title in four years. Nick Saban has four national titles total—just two shy of legend Bear Bryant. It's a dynasty; it's OK to say that now.

11:27: Thinking about the Most Valuable Player award and which of the Alabama players is most deserving. Receiver Amari Cooper is having a Marqise Lee-type game; his performance as a freshman every bit as dominant as some of the things we saw Lee do a year ago for USC. Cooper has six catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns so far, including the last one that just made it 42-7.

Eddie Lacy has 20 carries for 140 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing; one receiving). Notre Dame players can't wrap their arms around him to save their lives.

And then there's AJ. McCarron, who had the game of his life. If you thought he was good in last year's national title game against LSU, he was twice that against Notre Dame. Right now, McCarron has completed 20 of 27 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns.

THIRD QUARTER

4:08: Notre Dame is on the board—finally. Everett Golson's little 2-yard run won't be memorable. In fact, I've already forgotten about it. On defense, the Irish continue to miss tackles, but Stephon Tuitt is showing some toughness, unafraid to collide with T.J. Yeldon and Eddie Lacy. Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert is still fighting for it too. But it's all too late now. SEC commissioner Mike Slive is lining up the ducks—seven straight national titles just minutes away for the conference.

8:00: It's over. It's been over, actually, but now you can say it loudly and without a shadow of doubt. Whatever Notre Dame does now is irrelevant. Remember earlier this week when Notre Dame cornerback Bennett Jackson claimed he and fellow corner KeiVarae Russell weren't getting their due respect?

Well, plays like the one that gave Alabama a 35-0 lead won't help. Somehow, Alabama receiver Amari Cooper leaked behind Notre Dame's secondary and found himself a wide open target for AJ McCarron. Cooper tiptoed down the sideline to further humiliate the Irish.

13:17: Notre Dame received the kick to start the third quarter and appeared to have some momentum going. Everett Golson moved the ball down field with patience—until he let one loose in an attempt to DaVaris Daniels. Cornerback Dee Milliner broke up the sideline pass and safety Hasean Clinton-Dix grabbed a spectacular interception by keeping one foot in bounds.

So much for the Irish stemming the Tide after the break.

Making matters worse, Notre Dame nose tackle Louis Nix III hobbled off the field after Alabama's second play. A Notre Dame defensive front with Nix and Lewis-Moore doesn't have much of a chance against arguably the country's best offensive line.

SECOND QUARTER

:31: Eddie Lacy's teammates call him 'Center Button.' That's the middle button on a video game and initiates spin moves. It probably looks a lot like the one Lacy put on the hopeless Notre Dame defense to give the Tide a 28-0 lead in this first-half blowout. A 27-yard pass to Christian Jones over freshman safety Elijah Shumate set up Lacy's 11-yards of fanciness on the pass play.

"We just gotta play 60 minutes in the game; this game's not over," coach Nick Saban said with a straight face.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said at the break the Irish have to play with some pride. And tackle. And stave greater embarrassment, too.

1:06: Big Notre Dame defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore is getting help from trainers as he limps off the field with an apparent right leg or knee injury. If he's unable to return, that would be a huge blow to a defensive front that has already been gashed by T.J. Yeldon and Eddie Lacy here in the first half.

7:03: Notre Dame couldn't sustain a drive, and Alabama on the ensuing possession narrowly missed a bomb from AJ McCarron to Amari Cooper that would have been a sure dagger. Notre Dame has the ball now after Bama's punt, but the Irish start the drive on their own 2-yard line.

11:35: Finally, Notre Dame gets a stop. A holding penalty nullified an Alabama first down and the Tide eventually had to punt. The Irish muffed the punt, but was lucky enough to maintain possession. Now, if Notre Dame can do something with this opportunity...

14:56: Alabama coach Nick Saban has no bones about playing freshmen. Who can blame him? Amari Cooper got behind Notre Dame's secondary and yanked down a pass from AJ McCarron. He was brought down by Stephon Tuitt, but the damage was done. Freshmen running back T.J. Yeldon pushed it to the 1-yard line and then finished it off.

Three Alabama possessions. Three Alabama touchdowns. And a 21-0 lead—including two rushing so far after Notre Dame had allowed only two all season long.

FIRST QUARTER

4:22: We have our first sighting of Ms. Alabama, also known as Katherine Webb and the girlfriend of Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron. Brent Musburger noticed that's for sure, as the television analyst seemed wowed by Webb's beauty.

6:14: Where is Heisman Trophy finalist Manti Te'o? No where in plain view at this point. Alabama running back Eddie Lacy, all 6-foot-1 and 220-pounds, is wiggling around the lauded Notre Dame defense with no sweat.

Lacy's nifty run set up a simple TD pass to tight end Michael Williams to go up 14-0.

12:03: Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly made an ominous pre-game comment, words he probably wishes he hadn't brought to life by speaking them.

"If they get those big backs on our safeties, we're gonna have a hard time bringing them down," Kelly said before the game.

Actually, the Irish defense never got a chance. Alabama running back Eddie Lacy capped an 82-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown run that came easily. The run was set up by a play-action pass to Kevin Norwood, followed by a 10-yard Lacy run that was extended by 15 more when he was brought down by his facemask.

Two minutes into the game, at the 12:03 mark, the Tide were already up 7-0. It was the longest TD drive Notre Dame has allowed all year and only the third rushing TD given up by the Irish this season.

PREGAME COVERAGE

Before the BCS title game gets under way, it's time to learn everything there is about the two teams. Sporting News' Steve Greenberg and Matt Hayes have been in Miami for the past week, reporting on the Fighting Irish and Crimson Tide, respectively, and they will be your tour guides.

2. Johnny Manziel made it seem easy for a freshman quarterback to come in and rule. Notre Dame's Everett Golson knows better. From scout team to starter, Golson had to negotiate a learning curve as a leader and quarterback.

1. Alabama coach Nick Saban and his coaching staff recruit well, work their players hard and will put them on the field as soon as they are ready to contribute. And that is the really simple secret to the Tide's success.